It's been just over four months since our HHE (our stuff!) arrived and I am excited to finally say that I unpacked the last three boxes tonight! Not that the contents of those boxes are neatly stored somewhere--because whenever I unpack something, it usually involves a trip out to find some kind of storage solution since there is no built-in storage to this house--but they are unpacked!
Now, my next focus until I go back to the States this summer, will be to organize the house better. The main floor is OK, but the upstairs needs a lot of work. So does the basement, but it's "storage" so it's last on my list.
Until later,
Emily
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Finally!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
2007--A Year of Surprise and Change for the Snow Family!
Our little Toby (3 pounds, 13 ounces, 17 1/2 inches long) started the year off with a bang when he decided to arrive six weeks early! (Which by the way, resulted in another unwanted natural child birth for Emily!)
Toby stayed in the Special Care Nursery in Frederick, MD for just over three weeks until he was able to safely come home.
Those 3+ weeks were very stressful on the family. Emily tried to spend as much time with Toby in the hospital as possible, while James went back to work and visited Toby in the evenings (so he could save his time off for when Toby was home with us) and thank goodness for all of our wonderful friends for watching Thomas for us so that we could spend so much time at the hospital!
Because he was premature and born in the middle of RSV season, many doctors and health care professionals advised us to "keep him in" (away from crowds) until May. We did just that. And, he remained healthy!
Because he was premature and born in the middle of RSV season, many doctors and health care professionals advised us to "keep him in" (away from crowds) until May. We did just that. And, he remained healthy!
Grandpa Dan and Grandma Arleen came to visit in early March. Grandma Arleen was also visiting in January when Toby arrived.
(Which is a whole long story, but in a nutshell: Emily went into preterm labor in Utah right after Christmas. James went home as scheduled, right after New Year's but then Emily got the OK to fly back home, so Grandma Arleen bought a plane ticket last minute "just in case something happens on the plane". Emily made it back to MD, but had the baby five days later.)
About one month after Toby came home, when the sleep deprivation really set in, James came home from work one day and shocked Emily with the news that he was being pressured to apply for a new position...in Germany!
Shortly thereafter, James applied for the new position and got it. And, so, the fun began!
We tried to live our lives as normally as possible while dealing with all the many facets of our impending overseas move. And, we waited and waited to receive our "orders" which tell us when we are moving...
May 19-26, we vacationed with James' family in Palm Desert, CA. We managed to stay cool and had a BLAST!
In June, Emily and the kids spent three weeks in Utah, visiting our families. James joined us for the week in the middle.
We live in the Wiesbaden, Germany area in a town called Bremthal. We have very nice neighbors and actually quite a few American families living around us too.
Thomas, age 5, attends preschool three days a week at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield base. He has adjusted smoothly to the move. And, he is a great big brother!
Toby is our "holy terror" who has no fear of anything (except for strangers) and is into everything! Like his brother, we can already tell that he is stubborn and determined...But, he is perfectly happy and healthy!
The move to Germany has been hard on James and Emily. We knew we would miss our family and friends, but we didn't realize how hard being a foreigner would be! It is one thing to be a tourist...but quite another to actually live in another country!
We miss many of the conveniences and luxuries of living in the United States.
But, we take it a week at a time and slowly, things seem to be getting better (or we are adapting). Unfortunately, James' job is much more demanding than he was lead to believe, so the "personal travel opportunities" will not be as abundant as we had hoped.
At least we know this move isn't permanent--we signed on for 24 months with the option of extending a maximum of 12 more months.
But, when we steal a day here and there, and play "tourist", we do generally have a good time! It's not ALL bad!
But, when we steal a day here and there, and play "tourist", we do generally have a good time! It's not ALL bad!
Monday, January 28, 2008
A Blog Break
Beginning this Tuesday (tomorrow) until at least the weekend, I will not be posting anything new. The reason: because tomorrow morning, I will be publishing my "2007 Update" for all my New Year's card recipients to read. I want to leave it as my top blog, so that people not familiar with the blog format won't have a hard time finding it.
So, I will either take a break entirely, or I will continue to post, but will save the posts until later rather than publishing them right away.
Have a great week, NKOTB forever... and until later,
Emily
President Gordon B. Hinckley Dies
SALT LAKE CITY 27 January 2008 President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through twelve years of global expansion, has died at the age of 97.
President Hinckley was the 15th president in the 177-year history of the Church and had served as its president since 12 March 1995.
The Church president died at his apartment in downtown Salt Lake City at 7:00 p.m. Sunday night from causes incident to age. Members of his family were at his bedside. A successor is not expected to be formally chosen by the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until after President Hinckley’s funeral within the next few days.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
How Many Home Teachers Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?
This past month, James has been given a new family in our ward to Home Teach. The husband in this family just voluntarily deployed for four months, he left 2 or 3 weeks ago.
Tonight, I received an email from the wife, who had my email address but not James'. In the email, she stated that she thought of something she could use help with: she has about five light bulbs that need to be replaced. Apparently, their light bulbs burn out frequently like ours do. So, she wanted to know if James and his HT companion could come over soon and do that because, as she stated, "I'm not very good at that sort of thing."
Only problem is, neither is James! In our old house, he changed a few of the high ones if the ladder happened to be out at the time, if not, I would stand on a bar stool and risk a fall and all of others I would change. For all the light bulbs that have gone out in this house, he has replaced zero of them! He also wouldn't have the slightest idea where to purchase the light bulbs... We both kind of laughed about this and then he did it--he passed the buck--"Emily, can you just go over there and change them for her?"
I'm now waiting to hear back from her to find out when would be a good time this week to do her handyman work!
So, in confirming what we all already know--behind every good man is a great woman!
Until later,
Emily
When we were getting ready to move out of our home in Maryland, I got the job of cleaning James' shower by default because he was painting the downstairs. I worked on all the other cleaning jobs that I could think of until it came down to cleaning the shower. I think very few people find enjoyment in cleaning showers. I know I am not one of those few people. Cleaning James' shower, however, was very dreaded!
For those of you who don't know, I am not a "shower-er" but rather, I am a "bather". Therefore, I do not feel that I need to clean James' shower. And, unfortunately, neither does James! (Grr). I spent hours upon hours cleaning that shower in Maryland. It wasn't gross-gross to look at but it had layers upon layers of soap scum that I had to work off. I went through lots of cleaner and actually went out and bought one of those steamers which worked best of all, but it still took a lot of elbow grease!
So, when we moved into this place, I found it necessary to state that when we move out, I will NOT be the one to clean his shower so he better not let it get like that! I think that went in one ear and out the other! I also argued that it would be better if he would switch from bar soap to liquid soap but that also fell on deaf ears....
Anyway, the main purpose of this post (finally!) is to give props to a product that I bought last week after discovering black mildew growing in James' shower (Eew! At least we never had that in our Maryland shower!). It's Lysol Mildew Remover with Bleach. It worked great and I highly recommend it!
The first application took care of most of the problem. There were a few places that needed an extra application, then I thought, "hey, I might as well spray it on the entire shower". I only had to get down on my hands and knees to scrub the bottom with my natural pumice stone that I bought at Walmart for about one minute. And that was to work out the soap scum. The shower looks amazing...better than when we moved in! James even noticed (near miracle there!)... and...he thanked me (the true miracle)!
Until later,
Emily
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Going Down Memory Lane...
Thanks to YouTube, I have been able to watch all the old New Kids on the Block videos. I have to say I love the song and video to "Step By Step". Another favorite song was "Tonight". I can still sing along with all those songs and remember the words AND I can still try to pretend to be able to hit the high notes like little Joey Joe in "Please Don't Go Girl". Aah, the memories!
Until later,
Emily
Until later,
Emily
A Big Announcement!
I'm so excited, I'm giddy! I wonder if they'll go on tour? And I wonder if they'll come to Frankfurt? :) Hee-hee, everyone just imagine James at this concert (I know you all are laughing!)
New Kids On The Block Stage Comeback
By Eileen Finan and Julie Jordan
Originally posted Saturday January 26, 2008 02:00 PM EST
After months of speculation and rumor, the Kids are coming back. A well-placed source tells PEOPLE exclusively that New Kids On The Block are indeed getting back together.
The band's Web site, www.nkotb.com, which had been dormant, is now back up and running in anticipation of the official announcement, which the source says will be made in the next few weeks.
The site currently features a television graphic with a fuzzy, flickering photos of NKOTB in their heyday, and a link inviting fans to sign up for info.
The boy band, which made legions of tweens swoon in the early '90s, selling more than 50 million albums, became a worldwide phenomenon before calling it quits in 1994.
Eighteen years later, they're still "Hangin' Tough." The oldest "Kid," Jonathan Knight, now a real estate developer, will turn 40 later this year. Since the band's demise, former members Donnie Wahlberg, 38, and Joey McIntyre, 35, have seen acting success, while Danny Wood, 38, has worked as a music producer and Knight's brother, Jordan, 37, has continued to record.
I can't wait until the official announcement! I was a big New Kids on the Block fan. It was my first concert and it was awesome! My mom drove me and my friend to Smith's practically in the middle of the night to wait in line for tickets...which were $100 a piece--that was a ton on money 18 years ago! I wonder where my old tapes are? I used to know...but now I really have no idea. I bet they'll re-release everything onto CD if they really are going to reunite. Somehow I don't think James will be willing to let me decorate our room in NKOTB memorabilia. My poor sister (we shared a room) really had to deal with a lot with a 15-year old who was in love with Jon, Donnie, Joey, Jordan and Danny (in that order!). I think my mom said I could decorate "my half" only by the time I was through, I'll admit I had taken well over 3/4's the wall space with my posters! I think Kate finally had to be firm with the fact that she wouldn't let me take over her closet or the wall space that her face would be next to when she woke up in the morning...it was a shrine to NKOTB, I'm not kidding!!
NKOTB--Forever!
Emily
Friday, January 25, 2008
A Typical Friday Night...but Without James!
So, here it is nearly 11 PM, and I have just swallowed the first two cold pills of the day...yesterday I tried taking only half doses but still got too sleepy. So I dealt with the runny nose and the sneezing all day long today instead!
Tonight, James is playing war games with some co-workers. Some of them got together about a week and a half ago, on a weeknight, and they invited him but he declined because it was a work night. Let me explain briefly: these war games last FOREVER! I suggested that he invite them to get together again after work on a Friday. So, that is what he did, and now they will be gaming into the night. It's OK though...every once in a while isn't a big deal, besides, I am the one that suggested it!
I wish that I could say that I did something exciting tonight, but I didn't. It was like a normal weeknight evening, except I didn't make dinner. But, we still ate. Thomas had waffles, I had a soft pretzel and half a bag of Peanut M&M's (they called out to me today when we were at the commissary!) and Toby had his usual baby food. I was on the phone for a while and the boys played in the living room, then I put Toby to bed and let Thomas stay up probably too late but he wasn't being any trouble so I didn't care.
I don't often blog about James' job, but tonight I feel like doing so. Some things have changed, at least for now, and James won't be traveling very much. However, that doesn't mean he won't be busy. They have taken on some other kinds of work, so they are just as busy but not traveling. He is getting very frustrated with not being able to take time off. We had hoped to take a four-day weekend over President's Day next month and actually go somewhere, but now it looks like he'll have to work at least on Friday and possibly come in on the holiday. He's asked for some time off at the end of March, during the time that my parents hope to visit, and his boss won't approve it. Furthermore, he requested some leave during the summer, to travel to the States and he won't approve it. Every night this week, James has come home grumbling about his job...He thinks it's entirely too busy but the way I see it (but what do I know, really?), is that it's not bad to be busy at work, but you should be able to take time off when you ask for it, especially if you ask for it off months and months in advance! There are also other things that have been or are now brewing.... I could go on and on, but I won't...let's just say that I don't think either of us would be good spokespeople for James' job right now!
On the plus side of things, James attended a work meeting this week where it was stated that we probably won't have to worry about moving to a new location. The building where James' work was going to move to has been declared a no-go. So, they will probably still move, but not in our time frame, even if we extend the third year.
One last thing, before I close, I would like to mention that the sun was out and the sky was blue today! It looked a lot warmer then it was, but it was nice seeing the sun. I honestly can't remember the last time we had a day like this...over a month ago. My goodness this place is gray and dreary! Rumor is it gets better in the spring! I've already noticed that the days are getting longer! Hallelujah!
Until later,
Emily
I Love the Feeling of Relief!
This week, I have accomplished or completed three tasks that have kind of been hanging over my head and I am so relieved to be done with them:
1) My Relief Society lesson last Sunday. I worried a lot about it. I always do. But, it ended up being an awesome lesson and it's over!
2) I filled out and gathered up all the necessary items for Thomas' school application and handed it over to James to fax it in (he did it at work because there was one more step involving $ that he had to talk to someone about). International applicants are encouraged to apply from Jan-Mar, and the decisions will be made at the end of March.
3) I stayed up until 1:00 this morning "doing" my New Year's cards. A couple of weeks ago, I managed to get about one dozen sent out but then I had to keep putting the rest off. All the addressing, stuffing of envelopes, and sticking stamps on envelopes really takes time, especially when you send out almost 100! James is going to drop them off in the mail today. Hopefully this morning since I want them out before the weekend (our mail doesn't go out on Saturdays).
Until later,
Emily
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sneezy Emily
I woke up this morning with a COLD! It came out of no where too! Usually, I get a cold after someone else in our household has one...but this time I am the first to get it! It's one of those sneezy, runny nose, goopy eye colds.
Until later,
Emily
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
It's a Brand New Fridge!
James made the arrangements to get a new fridge on Tuesday, to be delivered today. James warned me that it was going to be only about 2/3's the size of our old fridge and that "I think it's going to be used, so I have no idea what kind of shape it will be in". So, while I was thankful to be getting a fridge that could keep cool, I was prepared for something...well, something grungy!
To my surprise, the company delivered a brand-new fridge and it's the exact same size as our old one! Mind you, it's a white, no frills, fridge but it's so much better than I expected! Even James (the eternal pessimist) commented, "You know, we've never had a new fridge!" Come to think of it--he's right!
The only downside remaining is that the old fridge still remains. Why? Because the old fridge didn't come from the same company. The old fridge was passed down from someone that used to work at James' work. So, James and another guy have to come and haul the old fridge away...but the guy can't do it until next Tuesday. All and all, it's a minor inconvenience!
Until later,
Emily
Waffle Wednesday
Wednesdays are a hurdle for me. A mental hurdle. I know this is the case with a lot of people. It's like if you can get through Wednesday, you can probably get through the rest of the week.
Recently, I started "Waffle Wednesday" at my house. What this means is we have waffles (and usually scrambled eggs) for dinner every Wednesday, but sometimes it's pancakes or french toast...OK, so theoretically it's breakfast on Wednesdays but Breakfast Wednesday doesn't sound as clever.
It's just a little way that makes Wednesdays easier on me. I don't have to think very hard about "what should I make for dinner tonight", plus it's a fast meal, everyone will eat at least some of it (even Toby!) and it tastes yummy!
Until later,
Emily
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Jury Duty
Because we own a home in Maryland, pay taxes, and have Maryland driver's licenses etc, we are still technically Maryland residents.
So, it really should be no surprise that James received a jury summons for the week of February 11-15 in the mail today.
He has to appeal the summons on or before February 1, so there isn't a lot of time to waste.
If not, he will be subject to "90 days in jail, a fine or both"!
Until later,
Emily
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Baby Gate Saga Continues...
You might remember that I ordered baby gate hardware from the States way back in the beginning of December so that we could mount our baby gates to our wrought iron railing.
You might also remember that I waited almost entirely a whole month before I lost my patience, and got on the phone with the company to find out what exactly was up.
It appeared that the shipment had been lost by good ol' USPS, so the company sent out a duplicate order, but reminded me that it "could take up to two weeks to arrive at your address", only to have the first shipment arrive two days later--they had an entirely incorrect zip code.
So, I've had shipment #1 for about three weeks and shipment #2 for about two weeks, but do I have gates up yet? Umm, that would be a NO!
For a few brief moments today I thought I might get them installed by James, only to find out that "I don't know where the hardware is". Grrrr. I was hopping mad for a few minutes and then I remembered that there are a couple of things that I can't find either and they are a whole lot bigger than some pieces of hardware in a Ziploc bag.
So, now I will try to order some new hardware. Seems like something that you should be able to order...so that means it probably isn't.
In the meantime, we will try to keep Toby off the stairs, which, by the way he climbed the entire set from top to bottom today. It's not the climbing up that I'm worried about...it's the falling down! By the way, I don't want to hear all the stories about how "we never had gates, you need to TEACH them to go down the stairs" or the fact that a guy in our ward who has a baby one month older than Toby, who just moved into their home a week ago, told James yesterday "we don't have gates, we just taught him how to go down". Let me promise you, I've witnessed this kid walking around in church, he trips over NOTHING. He will have a trip the emergency room if they don't get gates. As will Toby. We WILL have gates--someday! Yes, yes we certainly will!
Until later,
Emily
P.S. I found the baby gate's website and luckily you can reorder hardware...at a steep price I might say. And, I had to buy two sets of hardware because we have two gates. Baby gates like mine aren't cheap to begin with, so this is still the best way. Unfortunately, you have to print out and mail in the order...so I'm guessing I won't get the parts for at least three weeks. If at all, because the website didn't say that they will or won't ship to APO's. Crossing my fingers that they do and they will. Or else we'll be no further ahead then we were at the beginning of December!
Tooth #9,
As I said, I discovered the swollen area in Toby's mouth this morning. But, there absolutely was no tooth! So, tonight after waking from his second nap, James held Toby's face toward a light and said, "Hey, Emily, come here, I think Toby's tooth has come up!". I naturally thought he was dreaming...but I went over anyway to check it out...and you know what? James was right! Toby has tooth #9, or his first "dog tooth" poking out of his swollen gums!
Until later,
Emily
Something Is Going On...
...with Toby.
This past weekend, Toby's either been what we call "a mellow baby" (quiet and kind of expression-less) or a fussy baby. He's gone from eating three jars of baby food a meal to one. He wants to be held. A lot.
Last night he woke up four times. He'd cry, drink an ounce, and go back to sleep. I suspect he either has a sore throat or he's teething again, but there aren't many symptoms to go by.
Until later,
Emily
Update: While I was attempting to feed him his breakfast, I discovered a huge lump on the left side of his mouth. Looks like another tooth is trying to come up! I loaded him up with Tylenol, one dose at 8:30 AM, another at 10:30 AM, all the other doses today will be four hours apart (James--he's home today because of Martin Luther King Day--accused me of trying to overdose him, so I then had to assure him that my system is perfectly safe and actually works!)
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Utahns!
I received this as an email earlier this week and I thought it was funny AND true!
FORGET REDNECKS; THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAD TO SAY ABOUT UTAHNS!
If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September to May, you live in Utah.
If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Utah.
If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Utah
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Utah.
If 'vacation' means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend, you live in Utah.
If you measure distance in hours, you live in Utah.
If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Utah.
If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Utah.
If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in Utah.
If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Utah.
If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Utah.
If the speed limit on the highway is 75 mph-- you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Utah.
If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in Utah.
If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Utah.
If you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly' you live in Utah.
If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your friends, you live in Utah.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Going, Going...
...not quite gone!
Our American fridge is going out. We've got the temperature set to the coldest setting but things are not very cold. Nothing's gone sour but when you pour milk from the carton it tastes like it's been sitting out in room temperature for about an hour.
These fridges are technically rented from the military. But, we have to go through James' office to get one, and of course it all depends on one guy to get that ball rolling. This guy is a hot/cold guy. So very helpful one day and then totally and completely annoyed that you are bothering him the next day (even though it's his JOB!) Oh, and the military has a four day weekend...starting today so I know nothing will be/can be done until Tuesday. Luckily we have our tiny German fridge to move things around if needs be...but it freezes everything. I think I'll hold off on any major grocery shopping until we get this problem fixed.
Until later,
Emily
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Setting the Record Straight...
Somehow, in both my "Utah loop" and my "Maryland loop" there is a little confusion about how many times James and I have moved since arriving in Germany.
So, for the record, we have only lived in one place since we arrived on August 10th!
I could go on about what the future could hold, but since we change our minds every other minute about even extending for the third year...I'm not going to go into the fact that James' work is relocating down the road in late 2009...or sometime in 2010...or maybe not until we are definitely out of here....OK, so I went into a little...
But the crucial points are: the future is too unknown and distant to really obsess over it and we've only lived in one house since we got here!
Until later,
Emily
Congrats to the S Family!
Yesterday morning, my good friends, the S family, welcomed their third child, a boy, into the world!
The S family lived next door to us for almost the first two years of Thomas' life. But back then, it was just D, E, and E. They added an adorable girl almost three years ago and now this little cutie!
Congrats to all!
Until later,
Emily
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Happy Tears
This morning, I had to explain to Thomas that sometimes there are tears for happy times after I read an email from my good friend, LO.
Congrats to S & L, after much patience, many prayers and lots of faith, sweet A will finally be a big sister at the end of July! Such great news!
Until later,
Emily
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Morning After...
Toby is pretty sore. We haven't been awake for too long. I put him down on the floor to crawl and he sat there like "oh, I can't move!". So, I put him in his entertainer toy...that must alleviate the pressure because he seems content.
The night was OK. He cried out several times during the night but never actually woke up (I woke up--but that's OK!) until 6:20 this morning. I got him out of his crib and it was like picking up a baby that had been cooking in the oven. He was fevered. I fed him a bottle and got out the Tylenol. He was whiny and uncomfortable for 25 minutes and then we could tell the Tylenol was bringing the fever down and he was finding comfort again. He slept until 9 AM.
I have nothing planned for today. This is what I like to do the day after shots. Plan for nothing. It doesn't always work out this way but today it has. So, I will care for Toby how ever he needs and if he should decide to have a great day or a sleepy day, I will do housework but nothing pressing.
Thomas is still busy playing with all of Toby's new birthday toys and he understands that his brother may not have the best day so he is all right with the fact that we will be having a "casual" day. It's days like these when I am so glad that he is as old as he is!
Until later,
Emily
Monday, January 14, 2008
Toby's One Year Well-Baby Visit
What a difference a year can make!
Our little tiny 3 pound, 13 ounce, 17 1/2 inch long preemie is now our 24 pound 9 ounce, 30 inch long big boy!
Four shots and lots of tears. But all is well right now. We'll cross our fingers for a good night tonight and a happy day tomorrow!
Until later,
Emily
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Emily vs. James
The Christmas decorations are down and in their boxes! The boxes haven't made their way downstairs...but there's always tomorrow. I even managed to put up my whopping six Valentine's decorations! Well, no...I also put up 24 paper hearts in the windows...so that would make it 30!
Speaking of taking down the Christmas decorations, I specifically asked James to help me with this task today. However, I could tell from the instant that I asked him this favor, that he was going to try to get out of it...
I gathered up every single decoration in the house and off of the tree and was hoping then that he would help me at that point. (Because remember, I specifically asked him, it wasn't a hint or something that I casually mentioned a few days ago--this was something that I point blank, no-doubt-about-it asked him to help me with today!) So, to get the help going, I asked him to bring the empty boxes up. He claimed that, "I don't know which ones they are" (big hint: they say Christmas on them, and somehow you managed to put them with the other holiday boxes when we got our stuff) So, I went downstairs and found them myself. James was so kind to carry the boxes upstairs. Did he help me fill the boxes? That would be a no.
At this point, Thomas came over and wanted to "help". Kind and thoughtful Thomas, but tonight I did not want his help...so, I replied rather loudly that, I'd rather have your dad's help. James, says, "Hey, I'm trying to help you by keeping the kids out of your hair." Funny seeing that Thomas was trying to "help" while Toby was next to us playing with the magnets on the fridge and James just happened to be playing the Nintendo DS....Grr... Thanks for the help, James!
Then, the icing on the cake tonight came in the form of this sentence from James, "Are you PMSing or something, because you just really seem on edge tonight". And, I didn't even reply...
Until later,
Emily
Happy First Birthday, Toby!
Toby turned one on Friday! The day started out all right, but as it progressed, it got crazier and crazier--for me.
I dropped Thomas off at preschool and had a handful of errands to run in the three hours that he was there. It would be tough, but with a little luck, I felt confident that I could get it all done! Unfortunately, nothing worked out as hoped, I struck out at Toys R Us, then, I got lost somewhere in Wiesbaden, I was, however, able to preorder some pizzas to be picked up later on that night and then right as I was walking out of the food court, I ran into a friend who I could tell needed someone to talk to (I haven't made very many friends here, but she is one of them!). I sat and talked to her until I absolutely had to leave in order to pick up Thomas on time. I got him at exactly 4:00. I still needed to go grocery shopping. So, we went to the commissary and knocked out the list. I then ran back to the PX to pick up the pizzas. Wouldn't you know it, the guy working the day shift forgot to tell the girl working the evening shift! So, we had to wait for the pizzas.
We didn't get home until nearly 6 PM! James pulled up just minutes later, as Thomas and I were still unloading groceries from the car. I'm sure James was glad that he put an effort in to get home a little early... We put away the perishables, and cracked open the pizza boxes. The kitchen table was covered, so we ate wherever we could find a space! The pizzas are usually pretty good but it was obvious that the girl had hurried them because they were still a little doughy. (Note: doughy cookies=yummy, doughy pizza=so not!) Pretty disappointing when you consider that this is the first time I've brought home pizza in the five months that we've lived here!
After that, I still needed to frost the cake! Luckily, I wasn't doing anything fancy and at least I had baked the cake that morning! I frosted the cake and then we let Toby open presents. By this time, he was getting tired (it was around 8 PM) and we still hadn't had cake yet! We had our cake, Toby ate some but wasn't that into it (again, the tiredness, however he still managed to make a HUGE mess). We stripped him down and let him get his second wind where he crawled around nearly naked on the crumby floor! James, Thomas and I just sat and played with him and laughed at how funny he really is with his sniper-crawl and his growling lion sounds! He really is quite the kid!
In the end, I was glad that I opted not to have a party with anyone other than our little family...I know I would have been in tears. But, after I gave it some thought, I realized that the entire day Toby was happy...so at least it was a good day for him and that is was counts the MOST!
Here are a few pics of Toby's first birthday:
This was first thing in the morning right when Toby woke up. I had sung the "Happy Birthday" song to him and I know he thought, "OK, Mom, you're a little nutty..."
Perhaps the funniest moment of the evening was when Toby noticed the thing on top of Thomas' head. He had no idea that he was also wearing one! He stared down Thomas for a good minute!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Toby turns one in just two days. James and I cannot believe how fast this year went! I have found myself thinking a lot about one year ago...
What a crazy time it was, after I was released from the hospital in Salt Lake, it still wasn't clear if I would be allowed to fly home. My doctor said if I dilated any further, he wouldn't allow it. So, I waited out the holiday...New Year's...and saw him on the afternoon of the 2nd. We decided James should go home as planned, on the morning of the 2nd, because really I was hoping to fly with Thomas, as planned, on January 5th. My doctor checked me and said he couldn't believe it, but I hadn't dilated anymore, so if I wanted to go, I better go now!
My mom decided after getting the news, that she would fly back to MD with us. We all felt better that if I did find myself in labor or having problems, that even though she wouldn't be able to help me, she would be there for Thomas and he wouldn't get lost in all the craziness.
Well, the most violent intestinal flu that I've ever had in my life started kicking in before I got on that plane. I took quite a few of my pills to stop the contractions on that flight. We made it to MD and I even spent a few hours at home before I admitted to my mom and James that I wasn't feeling well. I spent that night in the hospital because I was extremely dehydrated. They got me hydrated again and sent me home the next morning.
But, the flu picked up again and I think I was dehydrated again by that night. I called my OB's office the next morning, explained to them what had been going on, ( I had been seen by one of the OB's while in the hospital) and wanted to know what I could take. All they could recommend was the smallest dose of what I consider the mildest anti-diarrhea medicine. So, of course, it didn't help.
The next morning, I went into that OB's office for my "check-up", I told that doctor what was going on with my body, and his opinion was entirely different, "You go out and buy whatever you need to and take however much you need to to stop that from happening" was his reaction. Sometimes a second opinion is really worth it! I stocked up on Imodium, because I knew that would do the trick, and I felt better within hours.
I should back up and mention that my mom took care of Thomas while I was sick. Thank goodness for my mom, who has taken more flights to take care of Thomas while I camped out in my bedroom then I think she has for "fun" MD trips!
On Wednesday, I had an appointment with the neo-natal specialist I had been seeing. It was for a routine sonogram that they do at 32-34 weeks. It was determined that Toby weighed around 4 pounds, 10 or 14 ounces and I went home relieved that he was that big! That was huge for an almost 34 week baby! And, I had only gained 9 pounds during that pregnancy. I believe I probably gained some in December, because I REALLY, REALLY tried because I was freaked out a bit by how much I hadn't gained, but I think I lost everything I gained that month because of the diarrhea.
After the appointment, my mom, Thomas and I went to Target and registered for a few baby things because some dear friends of mine were having a baby shower for me the next week. I felt better than I had in a while, was glad to be back in MD, and felt confident that I could hold on at least another four weeks...
That night, I felt some stronger contractions before going to bed, so I took two of my pills (terbutaline), and hoped for the best. The neo-natal specialist had told me that I had reached the point in pregnancy that if I started up again they wouldn't stop me. So, I figured what would be, would be and that I was going to get some sleep and hopefully feel normal in the morning.
The next morning, I was awakened by some stronger contractions. Of course, it took having a few of them, before I realized that this was probably the real thing. And I will always be mad at myself that I didn't take a couple more of my pills. I think it would have slowed things down enough to get the very-much-wanted epidural! Maybe the doctors wouldn't stop me, but I could have slowed me! James was in the shower, I started timing them, and let him finish his shower before I announced that he wouldn't be going to work that day.
I wanted to time some more contractions before calling the OB's office and I wanted to take a fast bath, apply a little make-up and pop in my contacts (hey, I didn't insist on washing and styling my hair!). We let my mom know what was going on, and we will always be thankful that she was there that day and we didn't have to worry about Thomas.
We got to the hospital at about 8:10 AM. The contractions were getting painful. The receptionist at the front desk was fairly quick...but not as quick as the one that I had with Thomas, who insisted we could "do all of this later on!". I got into my room and the nurse that was dealing with me was entirely too relaxed. I was trying to get undressed and dressed in the hospital gown as quickly as possible and I wanted to see a doctor. I kept insisting that I needed to be checked. The doctor probably showed up at 8:25, but it seemed like forever to me. She was the same doctor that saw me over the weekend. She checked me and said, "Oh my God!", that's never a good sign... "She continued, you're at a 6, looks like you'll have your baby today!"
I immediately started to cry. The doctor wanted to know if I was crying because I was worried about the baby. I replied, that no, I knew he'd be fine but I wanted and epidural! By this point, we also had a roomful of Labor & Delivery nurses and a NICU (technically still called a "Special Care nursery at that time, but it has now achieved NICU status) nurse in there with us, so there was an uproar of laughter. Then I replied that I had already had a natural delivery with my first son and I absolutely didn't want to do it again!
The doctor explained that they would do everything they could to get that epidural in me, but first I had to get one more round of antibiotics (to help my premature baby) and I needed a bag of fluids in my body. However, they could hook me up with two IV's and speed up the process.
So, I sat in bed with an IV in each elbow and went through transition. I suppose because I had gone through it before it wasn't as scary. I kept looking at the bag of fluids, drip-dripping into my body and I knew what the outcome would be. The pain and pressure got intense and I asked for the doctor. The nurse tried to hold me off but I told her, "no, she needs to come back and check me".
Dr. Vorlous came in and did a quick check. I was at a 9 1/2 ! The first thing she said to me was, "Sorry, sweetie, you're not going to get that epidural." My water hadn't broke yet so she gave me two options; wait for the water to break, or she could break it and we could have the baby. I chose that latter. She broke my water and said, "I'll let you start when you feel like it".
And so, I decided to start pushing a moment later. But not with the attitude of "I can do this" or "Let's meet my new, sweet baby" but with the mindset of "Get out you little SHIT! Get out the one that was so hard to conceive, the one that made me so sick, and the one that caused everyone so much worry. Get out the one that is in too big of a hurry for mommy to get an epidural! Get out! Get out! Get out!" Truly touching, I know!
Three or four pushes later, at 9:36 AM, Toby was born. Even though he was tiny (3 pounds, 13 ounces), he came out screaming, ("that's what we like to hear on those preemies" is what the doctor said) so they still let me hold him for a minute before they whisked him away. I looked right into his little face and instantly fell in love with him and forgave him at the same time.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Monday Migraine...and Back to the Grind!
I went to bed with a headache last night, which turned into a migraine during the night, I guess. I slept through it, but when my alarm went off (I don't usually set my alarm, but I decided to keep it set from yesterday--9 AM church, requires an alarm!--so that I could maybe have an hour or two do get started on all the messes around here) I realized it was a bad one.
I went downstairs, had a glass of milk and took something for the migraine. Although I slept the night, I feel awful. My body must have been tense because of the headache because I ache all over. I took the pills and felt the effects within 15 minutes. I went back to bed and got an hour and a half of peaceful sleep before Toby and Thomas woke up.
So, so much for getting a head start on the day. So much of it will wait until later I guess. Since Thomas has been on vacation from preschool I have been very, very lax with chores and errands. He goes back this afternoon.
James has enjoyed six weeks of a "slow season" at work. No travel and not a ton of excitement. He's been able to get caught up with his writing. And for the past two weeks, he's been the only one on his "team" in the office. This all comes to an end today. Most of the team will return, there will be meetings about what is coming up and probably some travel on the agenda.
But, as the holiday season is officially wrapped up, I feel that it is time for me to "get back to the grind" as well. Time to clean, re-organize, and organize those things that I was never able to get to. Not fun, but definitely necessary!
Until later,
Emily
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Head First Without a Thought!
Toby, oh, Toby! While Thomas was always a careful and cautious baby (and still is as a child), Toby is not. I fear that he will give James and I more than a few gray hairs!
Today, I had him in the high chair, where he was eating some dry cereal before I had time to sit down and feed him his baby food. I had gone down to the basement a few times and had left the door to the basement open. Well, I fed him his breakfast and then put him down. I could hear Thomas playing with his cars in the kitchen but there wasn't any Toby noise...then I remembered--the door! I took a quick look around the hallway and the stairs going upstairs and he was no where! I pulled the door back and there was Toby, going head first down the first stair! I grabbed him by his feet and pulled him up!
I sat him down on the ground and said, "no, no, no", which at this age I don't think really sinks in except he knows that he isn't going to get to do something or go somewhere that he thinks he wants to go. So, he cried because he was mad, but at least he wasn't crying because he was hurt!
Until later,
Emily
Military Medicine
When we first arrived here (can you believe it's been nearly five months?!) we were told that we have two options with doctors--either go on base to the military doctors or go out "on the economy" to the German doctors.
Because I needed to get a health assessment form filled out for Thomas to attend preschool, and because I didn't have a car or a license at the time, I decided to take him to the Military Medical Clinic. We registered the whole family, and that was sort of a hassle. It took entirely too long and the girl at the front desk was completely incompetent for the position.
The way they do things did take a little getting used to. But, I think that is the way it is whenever you make a major move. People do things differently from state to state, or even county to county!
Everything is done in the same building. Your appointment is generally on the third floor, but I've been seen on the second floor as well. They pull you in for vitals, and then you have to go back to the waiting room and wait to be called by the doctor. If you have an appointment and also need blood work or shots, you are seen by the doctor and then you go to the second floor for the shots and blood work (and wait again), the pharmacy is also located on this floor, where you take a ticket and wait, but I've never waited more than five minutes. We had to wait quite a while to get our flu shots, but I would consider our wait for everything else pretty normal.
As far as the service and quality of care that I have received, I have felt like I am getting good service. I particularly like the primary care doctor that has been assigned to our family (and if I didn't I could ask to try someone else), I have felt that everyone has been very courteous and very polite. There have even been a couple of times where I have felt that individuals have really gone out of their way to help me. Like when I tried to get Thomas a flu shot before he started his day at preschool (because the clinic and his preschool are located at the same base)only to find out that it was the clinic's lunch hour. The individual working at the front desk of immunizations told me to come back after 1:00 but before 4:00, because that was when they close. Thomas goes to preschool until 4:00 but I opted to pull him out 45 minutes early so that he could get the shot. Anyways, we arrived, and the clinic had become so busy and the same lady said you probably won't be able to be seen. Then I pleaded with her that she told me if I came back...well, then I think she remembered me and the next thing I knew, she was on the phone with someone upstairs to see if they could give Thomas the shot. Two minutes later, Thomas had the shot!
In the military, active duty patients get first priority, then retirees, then the civilians, so we are the "low men on the totem pole". I guess a lot of my other fellow civilian friends don't like this so they have chosen to go to German doctors. But, I really haven't felt that it has been a problem at all! Besides, I hear about all the massive paperwork that you have to fill out (if you go out on the economy) and send back in order to get reimbursed by your insurance, (which means you pay the bill upfront) and the extra hassle of either having enough euros on hand or having to go to the bank to pay the bill. When you get a bill in Germany, the day you get it, it is due. So, you go out that day or at the latest the very next day and pay that bill with a bank transfer. They don't take checks or accept our credit cards. So, it's really a pain. Unless, I have a different experience in the future, I'm sticking with the American way!
Until later,
Emily
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
New Year's in Germany
I wish I had pictures to illustrate what happened around us last night right after midnight. I have never seen anything like it, and am already anticipating next year. Every house in front of us, to the sides of us and in the back of us let off fireworks right after midnight. The kind that would be illegal in the States, at least without a permit. Big, loud bottle rockets. It was so loud you couldn't hear another person's words. By the time the fireworks stopped, about 25-30 minutes later, our clear skies looked like thick fog, there was so much smoke!
And, to our surprise, Toby slept through the entire thing, which was a miracle in itself (but I think it might of had to do with the fact that he decided to skip both of his naps yesterday!)
Next year, now that we know, we will join in the fun and light our own fireworks!
Fireworks or not, Happy New Year!
Emily
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